BO-05 Mineralen en milieukwaliteit (NL)

Abstract

The policy of the Dutch government is to reduce the environmental impact of the use of manure and fertilizers in agriculture and to support the transition of agriculture into a sustainable one that meets with the international agreements. As a result of the international directives (Nitrate directives, Water Framework Directive, NEC-Directive, IPPC-Directives, Air Quality Framework Directive) and the implementation of these directives, the Dutch legislations have to be regularly adjusted in order to reach the aims of the implementation of these directives. Recently, this has been done in the Third Action Plan (2004-2009) because of the rejection of the European Court concerning the Dutch implementation of the Nitrate Directive by means of the MINAS system. In response, a new legislation will be introduced starting 2006. This system is based on application standards for the use of nutrients (N and P) and manure. During 2004-2005, the research program fulfilled an important role in laying the scientific foundation for this legislation, and in evaluating its expected impact on N and P emissions to groundwater, surface waters and to the atmosphere. Simultaneously, expected consequences for the farming industry were assessed, as well as effects on the national surplus of animal manures.

The main aim of the Dutch Research Programme on nutrients in agriculture is to assist policy makers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in developing and evaluating the Dutch legislation on the use of manures and fertilizers. This includes the implementation of the relevant Directives. The research programme also aims to identify practical solutions for farmers: how can they comply with the imposed limitations, while avoiding drastic yield reductions.

Five main research themes are distinguished: - Research on deriving application standards and fertilizer recommendations in relation to the Third Action Plan - Research on the impact procedures for land application of both chemical fertilizer and animal manure, including rate and uniformity of the spreading - Research of the impact of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and evaluation of mitigation options for phosphorus - Research on the quantification of the emissions to the air and evaluation of mitigation options - Monitoring and national evaluations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. In general, the research will focus on monitoring the impact of the newly implemented legislation, and on identifying options for further improvement.

Because of the strong emphasis the WFD places on surface water quality, the research will be more oriented towards the scale of whole catchments. As a consequence, the contribution of agriculture to N and P losses to surface waters needs to be clarified, as well as the cost-effectiveness of different measures on surface water quality at catchment scale. The gathering of monitoring data will be combined with modelling approaches, which is deemed necessary in view of the many factors involved. Surface water quality is affected by diffuse agricultural sources as well as agricultural and non-agricultural point sources, and hydrological pathways, subsoil processes and transformations in surface waters themselves make up a complex picture. In conclusion, the main aim and challenge of the new research program is that, based on adaptive nutrient management strategies and additional mitigation measures, agricultural practices will comply by 2015 with the European Water Framework Directive.

With respect to the emissions the air the research will be more focussed in the on the emissions of dust from agriculture stables in order to comply with the Air Quality Framework Directive.